adamy diaz

by: Adamy Diaz

Another year begins and old resolutions become new resolutions again. Every year at this time, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We evaluate our decisions made and the future ahead. We establish new goals and look forward to the changes that will take place over the course of the next year. We ponder, we reflect, we ponder some more. We come to the realization that acting on our goals is the best way to accomplish what we want for the year.

This year, my list is short:

Live everyday as if was the last, stop complaining and start loving and living, be grateful and be at peace!

I expect this simple motto to take me thru the rest of this and every future year. At this point in my life, that’s the only thing I can wish for, it is the only thing I can do. I’d been tired, and complaining drags me down even more. Gratefulness calms down the anxiety of life.

At the beginning of every year I promise to be a better self, physically, mentally and emotionally. This year I choose to be grateful. I’ll speak less and listen more. I promise to keep calm, breath deep, and to think more and react less.

The best way to accomplish this year’s resolutions is to take one day at a time. To live for today, because tomorrow may never get here. Choosing to write a better story every day, keeping in mind that, although tomorrow may never come, there is always the hope that it will and I can start with a clean slate every morning.

This year I choose to be happy, I choose to be grateful, I chose to be at peace.

Written: February 7, 2002A version of this poem was first Published in “The Beauty of Darkness”by The International Library of Poetry in 2003

I often wonder what other runners think about while they run. Ruminating while running is a common occurrence for me. Lots of times, as I get into the cadence of running, my mind also gets into the rhythm of providing creative ideas.

I run with my husband, Don, and because we both keep a slightly different pace, the longer the run, the more time I spend training alone. Most runners these days use IPods to keep their mind occupied. My playlist usually helps, in my case, it helps keep my mind from concentrating on something other than the pain I feel or how tired I am by the distance.

On race day, because of our pace differences, even though I run surrounded by others, I’m always in my own world. It is inspiring when someone passes by and tells me “good job” or “keep it up, you’re doing great,” especially when I’m trailing behind the average runner. And although inspiring, most runner’s pet peeve is the dreaded “you are almost there!” or “you are half way there!” especially when one is struggling to put one foot in front of the other.

This is when inspiration sets in for me! Sometimes, I wish I could stop to write what floods through my mind, however I have to keep in mind the task at hand. My priority is to complete the training or, most important, finish the race. Once past the finish line, I can worry about putting pen to paper and jot down the ideas that visited along the way.

Back in February during a 15-mile training run, while listening to my IPod, a song came up that stirred memories from the past. Lucky for me, I was able to remember the poem that came to me during the run. “The Best of Times” is the product of that run.

To complete the journey for this poem, later on, I was able to find a picture taken during a visit to my hometown. I believe that my memory of our walking that trail says it all! And it is also another example of “The Best of Times” shared not only with family, but especially with friends!

Back in 2006, during a visit to my home town, we decided to take with us a green ducky which we called Howie. In 10 days, Howie discovered how many fabulous places can be found in the island of Puerto Rico.

Journey is the first tale in a series of photo-illustrations incorporating poetry and photography and featuring Howie the green ducky.